Scars to Stars™ Podcast

Deana Brown Mitchell
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Mental Health
  • Updated Weekly

Welcome to the Scars to Stars™ Podcast, where we share stories of resilience and hope. Your host, Deana Brown Mitchell is the founder of the Realize Foundation whose mission is to reduce the number of humans who struggle with suicidal ideation by creating a world where having the conversation becomes commonplace. Like many, she kept silent about her own struggles with mental health for 23 years due to shame and stigma. It wasn't until she lost a friend to suicide that Deana realized the power of sharing our stories. In this podcast, we invite guests who have overcome adversity to share their journey and provide a safe space for vulnerability and openness. Our goal is to let other silent humans know that they are not alone and that there is always hope. Whether you are struggling with your mental health or simply feeling alone, this podcast is for you. Come join our community and let's inspire each other to turn our Scars to Stars.

  1. 3d ago

    From Addiction to Redemption: Matthew’s Journey

    In this raw and inspiring episode, Matthew shares his journey through addiction, depression, suicide attempts, and recovery. From battling substance abuse, heroin addiction, and hopelessness to finding faith and transformation during 60 days in jail, Matthew opens up about the pain he endured and the healing that followed. His story is a powerful reminder that no one is too far gone for hope, recovery, and a second chance. About the Guest: Matthew Rambur was born in Eastern Montana and now lives in Western North Dakota with his dog, Maverick. Raised with small-town values and a hardworking background, Matt spent nearly a decade battling addiction, hopelessness, and the darkness that comes with feeling lost. After surviving some of the lowest moments of his life, he is now rebuilding through faith, sobriety, and purpose. Matt currently works at Tractor Supply Company and hopes that by sharing his story, others struggling with addiction, depression, or thoughts of giving up will realize they are not alone and never too far gone. He believes God can take even the most broken chapters of a life and turn them into something meaningful. Matthew shares his powerful journey through addiction, heroin abuse, depression, suicide attempts, and recovery. After years of pain and substance abuse, he found faith, healing, and hope during a life-changing time in jail. This episode reminds listeners that recovery and redemption are possible. #MentalHealthAwareness #AddictionRecovery #SuicidePrevention #ScarsToStars #RecoveryJourney #FaithAndHealing #YouAreNotAlone #SobrietyJourney #MentalHealthMatters #HealingJourney #HopeAndHealing #SubstanceAbuseRecovery #RecoveryIsPossible #TraumaHealing #DepressionRecovery #ChristianRecovery #PodcastEpisode #SecondChances #HealingThroughStorytelling #ChooseHope

    From Addiction to Redemption: Matthew’s Journey

  2. Jul 7

    Suicide Widow Support with Rachel Powell

    In this deeply moving episode, Rachel Powell shares her journey through devastating loss after her husband died by suicide, leaving her widowed with four children. Rachel opens up about grief, surviving her own suicide attempts, rebuilding her life through faith, and ultimately creating a powerful community for Christian widows. Her story is one of resilience, redemption, healing, and hope for anyone walking through unimaginable pain. #MentalHealthAwareness #SuicidePrevention #WidowSupport #ChristianWidow #HealingJourney #ScarsToStars #FaithAndHealing #HopeAfterLoss #GriefSupport #Widowhood #YouAreNotAlone #MentalHealthMatters #HealingThroughFaith #SurvivorStory #HopeAndHealing #SuicideLossSurvivor #TraumaHealing #CommunityHealing #PodcastEpisode #ChooseHope Rachel Powell is a widow Coach, Advanced Grief Recovery Method Specialist, speaker, author & suicide prevention advocate. She helps Christian widows who are ready to move through grief & healing with HOPE, so they can confidently rebuild their life with renewed identity & purpose. She does this through Coaching and her virtual Christian widow community. After losing her young husband to suicide & attempting twice herself, Rachel went on a journey of radical healing. The Lord later led her to leave 14 yrs as a Registered Nurse to guide widows on the same transformative path. She also receives many messages about her suicide prevention work saving lives.

    Suicide Widow Support with Rachel Powell

  3. Jul 1

    Being the Rock: Caring for a Spouse Through Cancer

    In this emotional and honest episode, Deana sits down with author coach, entrepreneur, and Scars to Stars™ Volume 5 contributor Christopher di Armani. Christopher shares the deeply personal story behind his chapter... supporting his wife through a life-threatening stage 3C breast cancer diagnosis while struggling to hold himself together emotionally. He opens up about fear, faith, caregiving, emotional resilience, marriage, uncertainty, and the healing power of writing. This conversation is a powerful reminder that caregivers need support too, and that vulnerability can become a path to healing and hope. #MentalHealthAwareness #CancerCaregiver #ScarsToStars #BreastCancerAwareness #CaregiverSupport #HealingJourney #EmotionalHealing #FaithAndHealing #YouAreNotAlone #MentalHealthMatters #MarriageAndHealing #HopeAndHealing #CaregiverLife #WritingHeals #Resilience #CancerJourney #PodcastEpisode #SupportSystem #HealingThroughStorytelling #ChooseHope

    Being the Rock: Caring for a Spouse Through Cancer

  4. Jun 24

    A Life Unfurled with Laurie Lang

    In this deeply moving episode, Laurie Lang from British Columbia shares her journey through childhood bullying, emotional abuse, sexual assault, a controlling marriage, suicidal thoughts, and the loss of her faith — and how she ultimately found healing, freedom, and restoration through her relationship with Jesus Christ. Her story is a powerful reminder that even in the darkest moments, hope and healing are possible. #MentalHealthAwareness #SuicidePrevention #ScarsToStars #HealingJourney #TraumaHealing #FaithAndHealing #HopeAfterTrauma #EmotionalHealing #YouAreNotAlone #SurvivorStory #HealingThroughFaith #MentalHealthMatters #DomesticAbuseSurvivor #ChildhoodTrauma #OvercomingAbuse #HopeAndHealing #SpiritualHealing #PodcastEpisode #Resilience #ChooseHope

    A Life Unfurled with Laurie Lang

  5. Jun 17

    I Looked Fine… I Wasn’t

    In this powerful and deeply honest episode, Dr. Peggy Christian shares her journey through hidden depression, alcohol addiction, suicidal ideation, and the lifelong struggle of feeling disconnected while appearing successful on the outside. From growing up as an empath in a large family to becoming a dentist, researcher, coach, and women’s empowerment leader, Peggy opens up about how community, sobriety, self-awareness, and healing helped her rediscover her worth and create a joyful life. Her story is a reminder that many people who “look fine” are silently struggling... and that healing begins when we stop hiding. #MentalHealthAwareness #AddictionRecovery #SobrietyJourney #ScarsToStars #HiddenDepression #HealingJourney #SelfWorth #Empath #MentalHealthMatters #WomenEmpowerment #RecoveryJourney #SuicidePrevention #YouAreNotAlone #PersonalGrowth #EmotionalHealing #CommunityHealing #HealingThroughStorytelling #PodcastEpisode #ChooseHope #HopeAndHealing

    I Looked Fine… I Wasn’t

  6. Jun 10

    Hush, Child, Hush: Finding Your Voice After Trauma, Abuse & Silence

    In this powerful episode, Deana welcomes Jessica “Jessy” Hollister from Midland, Michigan, a silent counseling practitioner and Scars to Stars™ Volume 5 author. Jessie shares her deeply personal journey from surviving lifelong abuse, trauma, anxiety, and emotional dysregulation to discovering healing through therapy, somatic release, silent counseling, energy work, and self-discovery tools like Human Design. Her chapter in Scars to Stars® Vol 5, Hush, Child, Hush, explores how she transformed years of silence and pain into purpose, peace, and empowerment. This conversation is filled with hope for anyone struggling with trauma, emotional overwhelm, nervous system dysregulation, or learning how to truly care for themselves. "Jessica Hollister is a Holistic Healing Facilitator, certified Silent Counselling and Reiki II Practitioner, who helps women heal from emotional trauma without having to relive it. After surviving childhood abuse and years of being silenced, Jessica discovered profound freedom through energy work and healing in silence...the very thing once used to control her. This irony became her medicine. A devoted mother with an MBA and a passion for breaking generational patterns, Jessica creates sacred spaces where exhausted women can release what's been held in silence and reclaim their authentic power. She believes the path to peace doesn't always require words. ~ Connect with Jessica via email: jlhollister1111@gmail.com" #MentalHealthAwareness #TraumaHealing #SilentCounseling #SomaticHealing #ScarsToStars #HealingJourney #SelfDiscovery #AnxietyRecovery #EmotionalHealing #YouAreNotAlone #MentalHealthMatters #NervousSystemHealing #HumanDesign #PersonalGrowth #SurvivorToThriving #HealingThroughStorytelling #MindBodySoul #PodcastEpisode #HopeAndHealing #ChooseHope

    Hush, Child, Hush: Finding Your Voice After Trauma, Abuse & Silence

  7. Jun 3

    The Quiet Rebuilding of Myself

    In this heartfelt episode, Katie Miller shares her journey of rebuilding her identity after a 24-year marriage and divorce. She opens up about healing from emotional trauma, rediscovering herself, shifting limiting beliefs, and learning that growth, self-care, and community are essential parts of healing. Katie’s story is a powerful reminder that quiet healing is still healing. #MentalHealthAwareness #HealingJourney #ScarsToStars #TraumaHealing #MindsetShift #EmotionalHealing #SelfDiscovery #DivorceRecovery #PersonalGrowth #YouAreNotAlone #MentalHealthMatters #HealingTrauma #Empowerment #CommunityHealing #MindsetCoach #ChooseHope #HealingAfterAbuse #SelfWorth #PodcastEpisode #HopeAndHealing

    The Quiet Rebuilding of Myself

  8. May 27

    The Battle to Win - Author in Scars to Stars Vol. 5

    In this heartfelt episode, Deana welcomes Debra D’Ambrosio, a Scars to Stars™ Volume 5 author from Bakersfield, California. Debra shares how the suicide loss of her grandfather deeply impacted her life, how she later faced her own suicidal thoughts, and how her faith, family, grandchildren, prayer, and purpose helped her choose life. She also opens up about her love of boxing and how it became a powerful metaphor for spiritual strength, resilience, and fighting through pain. Debra also shares her “Tears in a Bottle” project, inspired by the belief that our tears are not wasted and that God holds each one. Her story is a message of hope for anyone grieving, struggling, or feeling alone: you are loved, your life matters, and reaching out can be the first step toward healing. #MentalHealthAwareness #SuicidePrevention #YouAreNotAlone #ScarsToStars #RealizeFoundation #MentalHealthMatters #HopeHeals #EndTheStigma #SuicideLossSurvivor #HealingJourney #ChooseHope #FaithAndHealing #GriefSupport #SurvivorStory #ConnectionMatters #ItsOkayToTalk #SpeakUp #MentalWellness #PodcastEpisode #StorytellingSavesLives

    The Battle to Win - Author in Scars to Stars Vol. 5
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Welcome to the Scars to Stars™ Podcast, where we share stories of resilience and hope. Your host, Deana Brown Mitchell is the founder of the Realize Foundation whose mission is to reduce the number of humans who struggle with suicidal ideation by creating a world where having the conversation becomes commonplace. Like many, she kept silent about her own struggles with mental health for 23 years due to shame and stigma. It wasn't until she lost a friend to suicide that Deana realized the power of sharing our stories. In this podcast, we invite guests who have overcome adversity to share their journey and provide a safe space for vulnerability and openness. Our goal is to let other silent humans know that they are not alone and that there is always hope. Whether you are struggling with your mental health or simply feeling alone, this podcast is for you. Come join our community and let's inspire each other to turn our Scars to Stars.

Information

  • Creator
    Deana Brown Mitchell
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    134
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Deana Brown Mitchell
  • Show Website
    Scars to Stars™ Podcast